Building sets



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M. C. SYLWAN BUILDING SETS 1l Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Aug. 24, 1965 Oct.15, 1968 M. c. SYLWAN 3,405,458

BUILDING SETS Filed Aug. 24, 1965 11 Sheets-Sheet 5 El'lzq PEC .IL- JOct. 15, 1968 `M. c. SYLWAN BUILDING SETS 11 Sheets-Sheet 4 5'2.

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BUILDING SETS Filed Aug. 24, 1965 11 Sheets-Sheet 5 M. C. SYLWANBUILDING SETS Oct. 15,1968

11 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed Aug. 24, 1965 KMA Oct. 15, 196s M. c. SYLWAN3,405,458

BUILDING SETS Filed Aug. 24, 1965 11 Sheets-Sheet 7 USMC I f V 27 @MMMOct. 15, 1968 Filed Aug. 24, 1965 M. c. sYLwAN 3,405,458

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M. C. SYLWAN Oct. l5, 1968 BUILDING SETS 11 Sheets-Sheet lO Filed Aug.24, 1965 M. C. SYLWAN BUILDING SETS 0st. i5, 1968 United States Patent O3,405,458 BUILDING SETS Mark Christopher Sylwan, 7 Domargrand,Hagersteu, Sweden Filed Aug. 24, 1965, Ser. No. 482,191 Claims priority,application Sweden, Aug. 31, 1964, 10,442/64; June 11,1965, 7,680/65 10Claims. (Cl. 35-16) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE This invention relates toa mechanical component systern for building structures mainly forperforming mechanical processes, even if structures as afforded by theinvention may also be employed for arranging stationary parts ofdifferent kinds.

The structures provided by the invention comprise plates or beams ofmetal or other equivalent material which are joined by means ofcorresponding male and female profile members, the male profile membersof the said plates and bars being formed of grooves running along theedges at both sides and coupling means comprising divided femaleprofiles in the shape of either smaller couplings, or coupling bars ofvarying length, such as guide bars for sliding bodies that are clampedabout the male profiles by screw means.

These structures afford a continuous adjustment of plates and bars andof couplings clamped therebetween which may in certain cases comprisebearing units for shaft or bracket members for 'different components,such as guide bars for sliding bodies.

A further feature of the system is a substitution schedule founded on amodulus forming fthe base of the complete system and a pitch schedulewhich permits a whole plate or beam to be replaced by a mounting unithaving the same exterior dimensions and assembled of one or more beamsor narrower bars with interposed couplings or bearing units which byvirtue of the continuous adjustability may be freely positioned Withinthe space which has been taken up by the plate or beam. Through the saidpitch schedule there are provided a plurality of unequally wide mountingspaces for female-profiled components.

The plates and Ibeams have unbroken surfaces without screw mountingholes machined in advance therein, permitting any desired conditioningfor special components.

The system also comprises a coupling bar of T-prole which corresponds tothe mounting spaces between the plates and beams and does not Ihave thestep-shaped profile of other coupling bars, said profile having beenreplaced by a flat abutment surface with grooves therein for taking upthe male profiles. This dat abutment permits the mounting of the baragainst other lbodies, such as sheet metal panels, or the like, to serveas base members for structures assembled of components in accordancewith the invention.

More particularly the present invention relates to a building set orsystem lfor assembling mechanisms and machines of different kinds,preferably within the field of precision mechanics. This expressionshould, however, not be understood as imposing very strict limitations,as the Idesign pattern according to the invention will permit thebuilding of machine structures up to a limit above which the stressesacting upon the structures must be taken into account when designing anddimensioning the structural elements.

Building sets for mechanical structures have been known as toys since avery long time. Only in rather recent years have such sets begun to beused for professional Work within the industry. Such professionalsystems Patented Oct. 15, 1968 l `ICC are highly specialized, however,particularly when it cornes to the frame members which are frequentlyprovided for building structures of Bread Board type, and the systemsused, as a rule, are subjected to rather small mechanical forces, suchas are deemed sufficient for control purposes.

The use of Prefabricated parts for mechanical structures that may beassembled without, or almost without, any machining or finishing workaffords obviously great advantages, chiefly because the parts which aremanufactured in great batches will become rather less costly thanspecially manufactured parts, and because they may readily be deliveredfrom stock which will reduce delivery and waiting times to a minimum.Those advantages are, however, counteracted more or less by the factthat a building set always suffers from limitations compared with thefneedom which ordinary workshop machining work will permit with respectto the shape and Idimensioning of its products. Moreover, a formalizedsystem of ready-made parts is generally tied up by constructional rulesvalid for the system, but not elsewhere, and sometimes diifering greatlyfrom common machining methods and conventional workshop practice. Thisfact may become frustrating, if a first model built with a building setshall be reproduced at a later stage by employment of ordinary workshoptechniques and, thus, receive a design much differing 'from theprototype.

With the technical objects which form the basis of the building setaccording to the invention in view, I have listed some fundamentalrequirements which must be met by the system to make it fulfil itspurpose. Those requirements are:

(1) The design pattern characteristic for the system shall correspond asclosely as possible to conventional machine design.

(2) Within a given scale the system should be able to absorb relativelygreat mechanical forces.

(3) The basic equpiment of components of the system should be restrictedto as small a number of rather simple components as possible.

(4) The -structural components of the set must have such a stereometryas to permit an accuracy of such an order that the system may be usedfor instrumentations where the precision requirements are high.

(5) The design pattern of the supporting rigid structures should permita maximum of variation of machinery design 4and of size.

Paradoxically enough, the inventive concept is to be found mainly in therequirement of Item 1 above. The reason therefor is to be found in Item3. To copy mechanical design directly by means of a building set wouldrequire a practically unlimited number of components. A primary measureis to try to define and restrict the problem. For that purpose there isneeded such Aa universal generalisation of the typical features of mostmechanical structures as possible. I base such a generalisation upon thefinding that most mechanical structures are mounted in a plate-likeframework, with the plates either cast or cut out of sheet metal, thatthey are provided as walls of a closed housing or as opposite end wallsconnected by distance elements, and that bearings, brackets or aperturesfor movable components have been freely disposed there where deemedappropriate.

The problem of providing frame-work elements which may be joinedtogether to form plate-like frame-works of varying size and shape, inwhich I may mount bearings for a great number of freely disposed shaftsand also to find attaching points for bearing frames, brackets, etc.forming an angle with the frame plates is thought to be solved by thesystem according to the invention. In the annexed drawings I haveendeavored to render as complete and convincing an illustration of mysystem as possible, although it could not be avoided that the drawingsalso comprise constructional details which form no part of thisinvention, but which assist in offering a picture of the system in itsfinal constructional shape. It would also be a fault to omit completelythese elements when describing the system, wherefore I will referbriefly to the design thereof.

In the annexed drawings elements and structures embodying the inventionhave been illustrated.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 isa plan view of a rectangular-shaped structural late. p FIG. lais a fragmentary cross sectional view along line Iain FIG. 1, on anenlarged scale.

FIG. 1b is a side elevational View of the plate in FIG. 1, as well as ofthat in FIG. 2.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of another rectangular-shaped structural plate,having apertures formed therein.

FIG. 3 is a plan View of a square-shaped structural late. p FIG. 4 is anend View of the plate illustrated in FIG. 1, being a side elevationalview of the plate shown in FIG. 3, as well.

FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view along line V-V in FIG. 2.

FIG. 6 is a plan view of two narrow structural plates interspaced so asto correspond to the overall dimensions of the plate illlustrated inFIG. 3.

FIG. 6a is an end view of the interspaced plates in FIG. 6.

FIG. 7 is a plan view of two narrow plates or strips, combined so as totake up the same space as the plate in FIG. 1 or FIG. 2.

FIG. 7a is an end view of the plates in FIG. 7.

FIG. 8 is a plan View of a plurality of interspaced strips, combined totake up the same space as the plates illustrated in FIG. 3 or FIG. 6.

FIG. 8a is an end view on a larger scale of one of the strips in FIG. 8or 9.

FIG. 8b is an end view of the combined structure in FIG. 8.

FIG. 9 is a plan view of two interspaced strips, combined to take up thesarne space as one of the plates or strips shown in FIG. 7:

FIGS. 10, 10a, and 10b illustrate an elongated clamp member in planview, longitudinal sectional view and end view, respectively.

FIGS. 1l and 11a, 12 and 12a are a plan view and cross sectional View,respectively, of two mating squareshapedclamp members.

FIGS. 13, 13a and 13b illustrate another clamp member in plan view, sideview and partly longitudinal section and cross sectional View,respectively.

FIGS. 14, l5 and 16 are identical with FIGS. 1, 3 and 4, respectivelyand are provided for comparison with FIGS. 17, 18, and 19, respectively,which exemplify subassemblies that may be substituted for the platesillustrated in FIGS. 14 to 16.

FIGS. and 21 are plan views of sub-assemblies which may take the placeof the elements illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7, respectively, and FIG. 22is an end view thereof.

FIGS. 23, 24 and 26 are plan views of sub-assemblies which may replacethe elements illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 3, respectively, and FIG. 25 isan end view of the sub-assembly illustrated in FIG. 24.

FIGS. 27 to 39 illustrate in different views various bearing units suchas used with the sub-assemblies illustrated in FIGS. 17 to 26.

FIG. 40 is an end view of a more complex structure shown in plan view inFIG. 4l. FIG, 42 is a side eleva- 4 tional view, partly in cross sectionalong line XLII- XLII in FIG. 41.

FIGS. 43 and 44 are a plan view and a longitudinal sectional view of aclamp element and FIGS. 45 and 46 corresponding views of a mating clampelement.

FIGS. 47 and 48 are a plan View and an end view, respectively, of abearing mounting structure.

FIG. 49 is a side elevational View partly in cross section of anotherbearing mounting structure.

FIGS. 50 to 53 and 56 to 59 are different views of further structuralparts.

FIG. 54 is a cross sectional view of a structure, where of elements asillustrated in FIGS. 50 to 53 form part, and FIG. 55 is a plan view ofanother structure, partly assembled of elements as illustrated in FIGS.50 to 53.

FIGS. and 61 are elevational views of sub-assemblies employing amongother parts those illustrated in FIGS. 56 to 59.

FIGS. 62 to 65 illustrate further clamp members and FIGS. 66 to 69sub-assemblies employing such clamp members.

FIG. 70 is a cross sectional view and FIG. 71 a side elevational view ofa pipe and rod coupling member.

FIG. 72 is a plan view of a frame-work structure employing, among otherelements, the coupling member of FIGS. 70, 71, and FIG. 73 is a crosssectional view along line LXXIII-LXXIII in FIG. 72.

FIG. 74 is a side elevational view of a structure comprising variousparts as illustrated in other figures, and FIG. 75 is an end view,partly in section along line LXXV-LXXV in FIG. 74.

FIGS. 1 to 13 illustrate the elements which form integral or compositeplate structures. The elements shown in FIGS. 1 to 9 are shaped asplates or strips which all have a common feature in the shape of acircumferential T-profiled edge configuration 7 formed by a groovespaced from the edges and extending along the latter at both faces. Theelements are made of metal or other, equivalent material and arerelatively thick for making them suited to form frame-work structureshaving a Suthcient strength to stand up to mechanical forcescorresponding to the thickest shaft which may be journalled in saidframe-work structures. FIGS. 1, 2, 4 and 5 illustrate the plates 1 and1' differing in that plate 1 is formed with a slit 97 and a hole 96 forbearing units, whereas the plate 1 has an integral, unbroken face. Alongthe slit 97, FIGS. 2 and 5, a T-profile 7 is formed, similar to the onejust described, formed by grooves extending along the edges. The plates1 and 1', FIGS. 1, 2, 4 and 5, have such a rectangular shape as isformed when two square plates, 2, FIG. 3, are joined together by clampmembers, FIGS. 10 to 13, mating with the T-profile. By suchinterconnection, a space D is formed between the plates such asillustrated in, FIG. 9. If the square plate 2, FIG. 3, has a side of thelength B, that consequently means that the plates 1 and 1 or a compositeplate assembled of two interconnected plates 2 have the measures A x B,wherein the measure A equals 2 x B-l-D.

Solely this modulus ratio which implies a tautology, iS only oneelement-even if a basic one-for the inventive concept which is based inother respects on a purely structural description of the elementsaccording to the invention.

In FIGS. 6, 6a 7 and 7a are showed groups formed by strips 4 and 3, saidgroups having the external measures B and A. The strips 3 and 4 have awidth C which equals B/3, whereby the spacing between the strips willequal the width of the latter. This ratio is characteristic of theconstructional design of the invention as illustrated in the drawings,but from the inventive point of view it is not in the first place theidentity between the width 0f the strips and the spacing therebetween insuch a group with the dimensions'A x B that is essential:

This dimension ratio might be a different one without sacrificing theessentials of the invention.

FIGS. 8, 8a, 8b, 9 and 9a illustrate groups of strips 6 and 5, soarranged that ve strips 6, FIG. 8, form a Square with the side length Band a spacing of the strips equal to the width of the latter. It followstherefrom that groups of two equally long strips with a spacing equal tothe strip width D form patterns with the same external dimensions as thestrips 3 or 4, FIGS. 7 and 6, respectively, thus, with the width C. Ctherefore equals 3 x D. Also in this instance it is not essential fromthe inventive aspect that the spacing of the strips equals the stripwidth.

A pattern with the same external dimensions as any of strips 3 or 4might have a different spacing of the strips 5 or 6 than one equal tothe width of said strips.

This observation is an essential one, as the most important aspect ofthe invention is simply this, that plates such as shown in FIGS. 1 to 5may be replaced by composite plates assembled of strips 3 or 4, and thatthe strips 3 and 4 may be replaced by composite strips assembled of thestrips 5 or 6.

The clamp members shown in FIGS. to 13 have a profile shape mating withthe T-profile of the plates and strips, and a corresponding profileshape characterizes a whole group of elements according to theinvention.

The clamp member in FIGS. 10, 10a, 10b is used for interconnectingplates and strips to patterns of desired shape and size, and in theinterspaces between those T- profiled elements, thus assembled, alsobearing units for shafts may be mounted, as well as clamps with the samewidth and profile shape. FIG. 10a shows that the clamp member is formedwith screw holes 10, 10' and 11, 11', alternatingly smooth and threaded,to permit identical clamp members to be used at opposite sides of aconnection, with clamping screws entered either from both sides, or onlyone. As the profile shape for interjoining the elements is based on theright angle, all forces in the plane of a composite plate are absorbedby the profiles, the screws being relieved so that they may be made withrather small diameters in relation to the acting forces.

The clamp in FIGS. 11, lla, l2, 12a has the same profile shape as theclamp member in FIG. 10. It has a square shape and comprises twoelements 57 and 58, one having a smooth bore 1t) for passing a screw andthe other having a threaded bore 11 and serving as a nut. This clamp isfrequently employed in such joints between strips or plates from whichdistance rods connecting the framework plates extend, FIG. 42, only theelement 57 being employed for a screw passing through the clamp andsecured in a threaded blind bore in the extreme end of the distance rod.Such a clamp is also employed in other instances where a similar screwaction is desired.

The stepped clamp member in FIGS. 13, 13a, 13b provided with a thickerclamp member as in FIG. 10 with a longitudinally extending T-profile 7and with threaded blind bores 49 with the same spacing as the holes inthe clamp member in FIG. 10. The inside face of the stepped clamp memberis flat, but longitudinal grooves 8 form the complementary profiletherein, and thus there is no projecting part which is important whenthe stepped clamp member shall be clamped to base plates, FIGS. 4l and42, or against the walls of an apparatus casing wherein forms bracketmeans for structures according to the invention (not illustrated). Forthese uses the largest possible interengaging surfaces are needed, cf.,FIG. 40 that illustrates the employment of the stepped clamp member ofFIG. 13 combined with the clamp member of FIG. 10, when transversestructures are built to extend therefrom, either as angularly disposedbearing frames, FIG. 42, or for the forming of box-like structures.

In FIGS. 14 to 26 the T-proliled frame-work elements illustrated inpreceding figures have been complemented with bearing units and clampmembers which all are formed with a profile complementary to theT-profile and being of two different widths, corresponding to thespacings C and D of the T-profiled elements. The integral plates 1 and 2in FIGS. 1, 3 and 4 (repeated in FIGS. 14-16) may be replaced bysub-assemblies or assembly units of increasing complication, but withthe same external dimensions as the one-piece plates. Such structuresand assembly units are illustrated in FIGS. 17-19 and 23, 24 and 26.These composite units may obviously be of other proportions than thoseillustrated, the square or rectangular shape having been chosen furtherto stress the basic importance of those shapes for the design and mutualcorrelation of the elements. In all instances the profiled edge at thecircumference has been left unobstructed (save in FIGS. 24 and 25), andthus the character of the substructures as interchangeable assemblyunits has been emphasized. They consequently may be employed formounting into larger frame-work structures. By the provision of thecircumferential profiling characterizing all T-prolled elementsbelonging to the system described, thus, a square unit as in FIGS. 24,25, or the upper part of the unit in FIG. 23 may change its positionrelative to the framework structure as a whole without modifying thefastenings -or the space intended for receiving the unit.

Bearings which may be displaced horizontally in one position of the unitmay, thus, readily be readjusted for vertical displacement, a movabilityto the left could be changed to one to the right, etc., withoutrebuilding the respective frame-work unit. This technical achievementforms the basis for the choice of the square as a fundamental shape.

FIGS. 17 to 19 illustrate frame-work units assembled of the strips 3 and3', 4 and 4 and with bearing units 12 and 12 for shafts as well asclamps 4S and 45' for uniting the strips. The uniting elements (bearingunits and clamps) that are employed here, will all require the samespacing C (FIG. 7a) of the strips, so that the structures formed willhave the width B. They may consequently, when needed, replace forinstance the plates 1 and 2 in a larger frame-work structure aggregate.FIGS. 20 to 22 illustrate composite strips assembled of the strips 5 and5', 6 and 6', respectively, and having the width C. The connectingelements comprise the bearing units 30, 30' and 30" and the clamp 50,FIG. 20. These connecting elements determine the spacing D of thestrips, and the composite strips (FIG. 9a) thus, formed, may replace thestrips in the units illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7 and will accommodate asubstantially greater number of freely adjustable shafts withcorresponding bearing units.

FIGS. 23 to 26 illustrate units of square (FIGS. 24 and 25) andrectangular (FIGS. 23 and 26) shape with a relatively great number ofbearing units, disposed asymmetrically within the units. In the unit inFIG. 23 the bearing units 30, 30 and 30" have been disposed along an arcof a circle traced with its centre in the bearing 30"'. Such a unit may,as an example, be employed with a printing cylinder and inking rollersengaging therewith.

The square unit illustrated in FIGS. 24 and 25 comprises threeasymmetrically disposed bearing units. The clamps 50' and S0" encroachupon the external profile, where the arrangement must be such that theobstructed edge faces outward and forms part of the circumference of alarger frame-work assembly, in which the said unit is secured by itsthree unobstructed profiled edges. The

bearing 30 is mounted in the same Space as is the larger bearing 12, andit is demonstrated how a bearing unit space with the width C willaccommodate three parallel center lines for shafts. The short stripforms the T- profiled connecting element for the bearing 30 and theclamp 50'. This strip 70 falls outside the pattern described, as its endportions lack profiling, but the system is presupposed to compriseelements having the profile of the strips, but other lengths than A andB and without end profiling. These elements fall within another groupthan the one described above, however.

In FIG. 26 a rectangular unit is formed, made up, in part, of a squareassembly comprising strips 4, 6"' and 6", bearings 12 and 30, and aclamp 52'. By turning this unit through 90, the bearings may have theirdirection of adjustment changed from vertical to horizontal, with theunit unaltered in other respects. The clamps 52 and 52' only have twoscrew holes each of the same kind; these clamps, thus, comprising likethe clamps in FIGS. l1 and 12 two elements with clearance holes andthreaded holes, respectively. The unit of FIG. 26 further comprisesstrips 4', 6, 6 and 6" and clamp members 51, 51' and 51".

By the description given above the most important features of that partof the invention, which implies to a more striking degree a particularbuilding method characteristic of the system, have been disclosed. Whenframework assemblies according to the pattern described have receivedthe desired shape and size, the designer has got the counterparts to theframe units of a plate-formed kind which he is accustomed to havefabricated by workshops according to his specifications. To subsequentlyassemble the plates to opposed frame portions between which the movingparts are disposed, by the help of distance elements of different kinds,such as rods, does not differ from the design methods he is accustomedto ernploy for ordinary machine design.

With this pattern the requirement of Item 1 above, thus, has been met asfar as possible. The number of interacting elements which is included inthe pattern is reduced to a minimum so that also the requirement in Item3 has been met. The width of the bearing slots C permits the mounting ofshafts which are rather heavy compared with the size of the framestructures, and if a suitable material is chosen for the frame-workstructures with a strength proportional to the forces which may beabsorbed by the thickest shafts, this means that the system may absorbgreat mechanical forces in proportion to its scale, and, thus, therequirement in Item 2 has been met. The design of the elements and thebuilding method further permit an execution with a great accuracy, sothat also the requirement in Item 4 has been fulfilled. With regard tothe last requirement (Item 5) the following description will answer thequestion whether the system allows of such a great variation in thechoice of rigid structures, that it may compete successfully withmachinery specially made to specification. Merely the freedom inarranging the bearing units in frame-work plates, and the faculty ofgreat concentration of a plurality of bearings with small centerdistances will meet to a great extent advanced requirements in thisrespect.

The bearing units for shafts have already been mentioned. The bearingunits are primarily based on complementary-proled, pair-wise engageablebearing housing halves which are clamped onto T-profles, either withordinary screws or with a threaded sleeve which permits the passage ofshafts and serves as a housing for ball bearings or plain bearings.

FIGS. 27 to 30 illustrate two bearing-housing halves 17, 18 for bearingunit spaces with the width C, the profile 8, 8 mating with the T-profileof plates and strips, the halves having large holes 98 and 99 for amounting sleeve 13, FIG. 31. The hole 98 in member 17 is smooth,

whereas the hole 99 in member 18 is threaded, and the latter part, thus,serves as a nut for the sleeve 13, FIG. 3 l, the threaded portion ofwhich only takes up as much space as is needed for the bearing-housingmember 18, FIGS. 29 and 30. The remaining portion of the neck of thesleeve is a snug t in the hole 99 in the bearinghousing member 18, FIGS.27 and 28. See further FIG. 33 which shows a mounted bearing unit with abuilt-in ballbearing 21 and an ejector ring 22. A similar mounting maybe used for a plain bearing bush (not illustrated) which requires lessspace, and consequently permits the employment of this structure forheavier shafts. The bearing-housing halves 17 and 18 are formed with asemicircular groove 20 extending across the holes 98, 99 in the centerline thereof and parallel to the proles 8, 8', said grooves forming inan assembled bearing unit a 8 cylindrical hole 46, FIG. 33. The housingmembers also have blind holes 19 drilled within that groove, FIGS. 27 to30, which serve to receive pins that retain a setting screw 23, FIG. 49,destined for accurate adjustment of the bearings in the longitudinaldirection of the elongated spaces accommodating the bearing units.

A bearing housing for mounting in frame-work spacings of the width D isillustrated in FIGS. 35 to 39. This bearing those denoted 30-30" inFIGS. 23 to 26. FIGS. 37 and 38 illustrate the bearing housing properwhich comprises a profiled member 30 with a countersunk socket 31 for aball bearing, said socket, owing to the small width merging with lateralapertures 34 and 34. The ball bearing consequently lies open in thosedirections. The same applies for the through-going bore for the shaftwhich has similar apertures 35. The screws securing the bearing arescrewed into threaded blind holes 32 and 32. The mating member 33, FIGS.35 and 36, corresponds to the profiled member of the bearing housing,but has through holes 10 and 10 for screws.

The structure illustrated in FIGS. 40 to 42 is an application of thesame pattern shown in FIGS. 1 to 26 employed for a frame-work structureof a larger size. The frame-work structure is built upon a flat-groundbase plate 90 formed with screw slits 91. Connecting elements betweenthe base plate and the frame-work structure proper are in this case thestepped clamp members and 55". The same member is employed also for thebuilding of bearing frame-works 89 and 89 forming right angles with theframe-work structure face, FIG. 42.

The base plate 90 has a circumferential T-prole 7 of the same shape anddimensions as other T-proled elements. By the relative height of theplate it is attained that the clamp members uniting several plates willbecome sunk below the face of the plate which is advantageous when onewill freely choose at such composite tables the disposition of differentfunction units right opposite the joints. The base plate is spaced fromthe supporting surface by short sleeves screwed to profile clamps 56.These elements have a profile for locking engagement only along oneedge, whereas the opposite edge has an abutment portion formed byinclining the inner faces of the clamp elements from this abutmenttowards the protile. In other respects this clamp has the samedimensions as the clamp in FIGS. 11 and 12.

In the frame-work structure a plate 1' is mounted and supports twoIbearing units 12' and 13. This plate is intended for employment withmating shafts subjected to an extremely heavy load, as the profilesmight become over-stressed and might give way after prolonged use. Evenif the bearing units should sustain great forces without beginning tocreep after clamping to the T-proles, aS a safety device a distanceelement may be interposed 'between the bearing housing and the endportion of the mounting space, such as a rod secured in the hole 46,FIG. 33. All frame-work units are joined together by the clamp members51, 51', 51, 51 and 51". The space between the upper plate 2 and theunit 80 is filled up by the bearing housings 30 and 30' mounted therein.In the unit there is provided the bearing housing 12, adjustable withthe setting screw Z3. This setting screw engages a nut incorporated inthe clamp 45. In the same unit one side is taken up by the strip 4.

The unit 80 corresponds generally to that illustrated in FIG. 23.

In FIG. 42 the distance rods 87'and 87 and the bearing frame-works 89and 89 mounted on the stepped members 55 and 55 are illustrated, theframe-work 89' being provided with the setting screw 23.

FIGS. 43 to 46 and FIGS. 50 to 53 illustrate a couple of substantiallyparallepipedic clamp structures. These structures are made up with thesame prole as the bearing halves in FIGS. 27 to 3() with the soledifference that the clamp structure in FIGS. 5() to 53 lacks thesemi-circular groove 20 characteristic for that profile. FIGS. 43

and 44 illustrate a clamp member which diters from the corresponding onein FIGS. 45 and 46 by the screw holes 10, 10 in the former being smoothwhereas the corresponding holes 11, 11 are threaded in the latter. Bothparts are formed with the semicircular lgroove 20 which extends in thesame sense as the profiles 8 and 8.

FIGS. 47 and 48 illustrate a bearing `frame-work formed of the stirps 70and 70 and secured to the clamp members S1 and 51' by a screw 61engaging a nut 27 incorporated in the clamp structure.

FIG. 49 is a side elevation view, partly in section, of a bearingframe-work with a setting screw 23. The clamp member -45 has anincorporated nut 27 extended by a neck portion clamped in the clampstructure. The eX- tended portion 24 of the setting screw journalled inthe bearing housing is formed with an annular groove 25 which is engagedthrough recesses in the sleeve member 26 by pin members 28 provided inthe bearing housing (see FIGS. 27 to 30). By the pins the Screwextension is secured axially, while the threaded portion of the settingscrew engages the nut 27.

The clamp structure in FIGS. to 53 has an interlocking type profilealong three edges. It is employed for bearing frame-works such as areillustrated in FIG. 55, as a support `for guide means or bearingframe-works aS in FIG. 54, etc. FIGS. 50 to 53 illustrate both of themembers of the clamp structure, of which the member 40, FIGS. 50 and 51,and 40', FIGS. 52 and 53, only differ by the screw holes, the member 40having smooth holes and 10 while member 40 has threaded holes 11 and 11.Both members have a smooth hole 41 between the holes 10 and 10' or 11and 11', respectively, and said hole 41 may be countersunk in the memberin FIGS. 52 and 53 for the screw head which is conical in theillustrated embodiment.

FIG. 54 is a section View showing the position of the screws. Thisfigure shows a structure in which a framework or a couple of guidemembers 70 and 70 are provided spaced from frame-work plates, with asleeve 88 as a distance element. The sleeve is secured by a screw 61 tothe clamp members 51 and 51. The frame-work or the guide members shouldbe assembled in the rst place by tightening the screws 60 and 60', andis clamped subsequently to the sleeve 88 with the screw 61.

In FIGS. 56 to 69 there are illustrated two components for unitingT-proled elements at right angles. One component, FIGS. 56 to 59, is aclamp structure formed as a right-angled triangle with engagementprofiles 8 and 8' along the two smaller sides. As with the clampstructures already described, this structure has a smoothbored memberand a threaded-hole member 75 and 75', respectively. A line drawnthrough the centers of holes 10 and 11 at an angle of 45 to the profilesof the smaller sides shall intersect the latter substantially at themiddle, or as close as possible to the middle, the pressure, thus, beinguniformly distributed along the profiles upon tightening the membersagainst each other. FIGS. 60 and 6l illustrate the employment of clampstructures as described for a bearing frame-work, further formed of thestrips 70 and 70 and the lbearing housing 30.

FIGS. 62 and 69 illustrate a similar clamp structure which engages theedges of the strips at right angles to their planes for angularconnections according to FIGS. 66 to 69. That which distinguishes thisclamp structure from the one just described is the proling of the edgescorresponding to the strips and being formed as a rectangular groove 95and 95', FIGS. 62 to 65. As a consequence of the nature of that proleshape, this clamp structure is somewhat larger than the clamp structuredescribed above, but comprises, like that one, a member with a clearancehole and one with a threaded hole, the same rule for the disposition ofthe holes with regard to the angle formed by the profiles being valid.The employment of the clamp structure for uniting the narrow strips 70and 70 is illustrated in FIGS. 66 and 67. In

such a structure the inside surfaces of the clamp members almost toucheach other at the -center lines of the strips. The screw `60 is formed,as in all preceding examples, with a conical head countersunk into theclamp structure.

In FIGS. 68 and 69 there is illustrated a structure with the widerstrips 71 and 71', the clamp members 76 and 76 being separated by a widespace which must be bridged by the screw. By reason of the pressurebeing distributed along the whole length of the profiles upon thetightening of the clamp structure, the distance between the clampmembers may vary without affecting the strength of the assembly.

FIGS. 70 and 7l illustrate a coupling member for pipes or rods. Atypical assembly executed with the use of said coupling member isillustrated in FIGS. 72 and 74, in which frame-work structures formed ofT-prole elements belong to an assembly in which pipes or rods support orsecure the frame-work plates in a certain relation to each other. Suchassemblies are frequent where different operations are etected infunctional units built of frame-work structures according to theinvention, where these operations should be separated. To choose rods orpipes as connecting elements in such cases is appropriate by reason ofthe rigidity of such profiles in all directions and their commonness andlow price. This design pattern is also usual in machine building and,thus, conforms to usual design practice. With the provision of the clampstructure in FIGS. 70, 71 the pattern according to the invention hasconsequently been substantially widened. With the building practicedescribed eariler there are built principally frame-works and supportingstructures, the most important characteristics of which is aconcentration of the movable systems into delimited spaces formed bymore or less open frame-work structures assembled of plates. With thenow described clamp structure, and rods or pipes, the possibilities ofscattering the different operation units of an assembly into alldirections of space to the desired mutual distances are increased.Thereby the requirements as to concentration of the operation units onone side, and the possibility for the free disposition thereof withinthe -space required by a certain process on the other side, are met.

The coupling member comprises a substantially parallelepipedic metalbody 85. FIGS. 70, 71, with a through hole 98 for a rod or pipe and twoopposite T-protileshaped ribs 7 and 7 parallel to the hole center line.The measure over the ribs is the same as for the wider strip, thu-sequal to C. This dimensioning enables the coupling member to =be mountedin frame-work structures according to the invention, and beyond its mostimportant function of forming support rods or pipes which supportframe-work units, it will also afford mountings for pneumatic orhydraulic cylinders; such applications fall, however, outside the scopeof the present disclosure. The width perpendicularly to a plane passingthrough the profile ribs is sufficiently great to accommodate threadedholes 11, 11' of sufficient length for set screws to secure the rod orpipe rigidly. The coupling member may be formed of an extruded profileof metal or other, equivalent material or by sintered material. FIG. 72illustrates a frame-work structure formed of the plate 1 with bearingunits 12 and 13 mounted therein, the bearing housing disposed in theslot being provided with an adjusting screw 23, and of a compositeframe-work unit having the dimensions A x B, assembled of the plate 2,the strip 4, the narrow strips 6 and 6 and the bearing units 12 and 12".The frame-work units are interconnected at a certain distance bythepipes or rods 86 and 86 and the clamp lstructures 75, 75', 75, 75"',75"", 75" and 75" which form connecting means between the T- profiles ofthe plates and the T-proile or T-proiiles of the clamp structures 85,85", 85', 85"" and 85" which are secured to the pipes or rods with setscrews.

To adjust, when needed, the spacing of the units obviously is a simpleoperation, since the unit mounted between the rods or pipes isdisplaceable along the latter, if the set screws are loosened.

The arrangement of the bearing units 12 and 12 corresponding to eachother is illustrated in FIG. 73. 'I'his gure shows the bearingframe-work 12 as seen from the section line on rod 86 in FIG. 72. Theframe-work is formed of the strips 70 and 70', the bearing unit 12 andthe clamp structures 45 and 45 corresponding to the clamp structures inFIGS. 43 to 48. The clamp structures are screwed to the sleeves 88 and88 which are in their turn fastened to the clamp structures 75 and 75.Such a suspension of the frame-work permits, of course. the turning ofthe frame-work about the screws within the sleeves 88 and 88', wherebyshafts may be disposed obliquely within the frame-work structure. As inall other examples shafts and wheels, or other movable parts have notbeen illustrated. The system according to the invention comprises onlythe frame-work building elements with bearing means, and to facilitatethe understanding, no other bulky parts have been shown in the drawings.

FIGS. 74 and 75 illustrate a base plate 90 upon which is erected aframe-work comprising the rods or pipes 86 and 86' and supporting acomposite plate frame-work structure rather high above the base plate.As the connecting element between the base plate and the rods or pipesserves the stepped member 55 as further do coupling members 85" and 85"'and the clamp structures in FIGS. 56 to 59 which have been denoted 75,75', 75", 75" and 75"'. Coupling members 85, 85', 85", 85"'. 85 and 8S""(FIG. 72) unite the rods with the elevated structure, as shown.

On the stepped member 55 further a composite bearing frame-work has beenerected, :formed of the strips 70, 70 and 70" and the bearing units 30and 12. The connection with the stepped member 55 is effected with theclamp structures 75" and 75"'. It is noted that the strip 70' is of sucha width that it may be employed at the same time by two bearing unitspartly on the same level. The bearing unit 12 is disposed on ahorizontally extended frame-work formed by the strips 70"' and 70""which have been connected to strips 7 0' and 70" by means of clampstructures 76 and 76', corresponding to the clamp structure in FIGS. 62to 65. This bearing is assumed to journal a shaft, not indicated, whichextends further through the bearing unit 12, FIG. 75. This bearing unitis mounted in a frame-work joined to the building unit with a clampmember (not shown) which has been united with the strip 51 to form anassembly which is further lled up by the strip 70"".

An upper bearing frame-work comprises the strip 6 and the bearing units30 and 30" and clamp structures 75",)1 7slllllll.

FIG. 75 illustrates the same structure as FIG. 74 in a slide elevationview. The screw slits in the base plate 90 are shown and its T-profilealong the edge, supported by clamps 56. The stepped member 55 supportsthe rod 86 by means of the clamp structure 85". Not shown on FIG. 74 isthe distance rod 87 and the bearing frame-works 70 and 70' mounted on astepped member. The clamp structure 76 is shown from the side supportingthe horizontally extending bearing frame-work formed by strips 70 and70" and the bearing unit 12".

The foregoing description has been made as complete as I have deemednecessary to afford a correct illustration of the system according tothe invention grasped as a whole. I believe that the description willbear out that all parts belong as integral parts to a single inventiveconcept.

Many of the elements belonging to the invention, such as theinterlocking T- and mating profiles may well be admitted to be known inthemselves, but the novelty resides in their subordination under a mainconstructional concept which I deem to be novel.

I claim:

1. A building set for assembling mechanisms and machinery, comprisingcomponents of two types for building composite frame works, a lirst typecomprising relatively wide strip members formed with a profile shapealong their edges, shaft-bearing units having a profile shapecomplementary to the profile shape of the edges of said strip members,which units are rigidly clamped onto the profiles of said strip membersand are, when still not tightened, freely adjustable longitudinallythereof, and provide a relatively wide space between said strip members,composite bearing frame workspof this first type being formed as aquadrangle having a length which is a whole multiple of its width, thesecond type of component comprising relatively narrow strip membersformed with a prole shape along their edges corresponding to that ofsaid strip members of said first type and corresponding to acomplementary profile shape on shaft bearing units adapted to be clampedto the proles of said narrow strip members and freely adjustablelongitudinally thereof when still not tightened, providing a relativelynarrow space` between said strip members, composite bearing frame works,of this second type being of the same dimensions as the strip members inthe composite bearing frame works of said first type and capable ofreplacing the latter.

2. A building set as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that thecomponents for building frame works also comprise integral plates havinga prole shape along their edges similar to that of said strip members,said plates having such quadrangular shape that they areinterchangeable, in assembled structures, with bearing frame works ofthe larger type.

3. A building set as claimed in claim 1, and in which there is providedclamp means having the same complementary profile as the bearing units,said clamp means being of two types, one fitting into the relativelyWide space in composite bearing frame works of the rst type and theother fitting into the relatively narrow bearing spaces in compositebearing frame works of the second type, said clamp means comprising twoassociated members adapted to be tightened with screws, the clamp meansof said lirst type having two screws at either side of the center lineof the bearing space and said second type having at least one disposedalong the center line of the bearing space.

4. A building set as claimed in claim 3, and in which .there is providedclamp means of the greater size having a center area serving as abearing space, sai-d clamp means having two screws at either side of thebearing space and semicircular groove formed in both associated membersbetween the screws along the center of said bearing space, said groovesforming in the assembled clamp means a bore for a securing element witha circular cross section to be tightly engaged by said bore upon thetightening of said associated members.

5. A building set as claimed in claim 3, characterized by the provisionof clamp means of the larger size with one transverse edge of bothassociated members being prolile-shaped, in the same manner as the edgescomplcmentary to the profiles of said strip members, so that clamp meansof this kind may unite two strip members with a third strip member orplate at right angles relative to the two former, a third hole beingprovided for a through screw between the two screws for tightening theclamp.

6. A building set as claimed in claim 1, and in which there is providedclamp means formed by two substantially similar members withsubstantially ythe shape of a right-angled triangle having its smallersides formed with a profile shape complementary to that of said stripmembers to unite such strip members at right angles, said clamp meanshaving holes for passage of clamping screw means, said holes beingdisposed in the angle subtended between the profiles so that a lineextending through the 13 center of said screw means at 45 to theprofiles will lie so far inside the end points of the profiles that thepressure is distributed `substantially uniformly along the length ofsaid profiles.

7. A building set as claimed in claim 6, and in which said substantiallyright angular clamp means comprises two associated members having such aprofile shape lat the short sides of the triangle that it will engageover the edges of said strip members at right angles to the planethereof, said strip members being rigidly united at right angles totheir planes upon tightening said clamp means, a clamping screw disposedas far into the angle subtended between said proled sides that a lineextending through the center of the screw at 45 to the proles will liesoV far inside the end points of the profiles that the pressureexercised by said screw will be distributed substantially uniformlyalong the whole length of said profiled sides.

8. A building set as claimed in claim 1, and in which pipes or rods areprovided, coupling means for said pipes or rods having a circularcross-section, and coupling means comprising a body having a holetherethrough for passage of said rod or pipe, and external integral,diametrically opposed profile ribs parallel to said hole and being ofthe same shape as the profiles of the strip members and with thegreatest dimension over said ribs equal to the width of the widest stripmember, the material in the portions of said body at right angles to aplane passing through said ribs being shaped with threads for screws forsecuring said pipe or rod.

9. A building set as claimed in claim 8, and in which there is providedbase plate means having longitudinal screw slits and a shaped profilealong the edges, said prole being so disposed, owing to the relativethickness of said plate means, said clalmp means do not extend beyondthe plane formed when at least two base plates are united to a largerplate structure.

10. A building set as claimed in claim 9, and in which there is provideda T-prole element in the shape of a clamp member having screw holesalong its center and, along the outer face of said member,longitudinally extending rib means shaped with a profile similar to thatprovided on said strip members, frame work elements monuted upon saidmember forming right angles with frame work structures in which theT-prole element forms clamp means having a profile formationcomplementary to that of the plates and strip members.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,974,838 9/1934 Schmid 46-16FOREIGN PATENTS 377,258 6/ 1964 Switzerland.

EUGENE R. CAPOZIO, Primary Examiner.

H. S. SKOGQUIST, Assistant Examiner.

